So it’s time for the Fourth of July. You’ve got the burgers and dogs, a tent for your guests, and all the sparklers that the local corner store carries. Now it’s time to bake some scrumptious desserts. While no one is going to complain about your traditional apple pie, there are some recipes you can try which will make your offerings at the dessert table super festive and super popular. Let’s get red, white, and blue with it.

Jell-O

You just can’t go wrong with Jell-O. It’s easy to make and easy to eat—the perfect summertime treat. Make your favorite red, white, and blue flavors and cut them out with star shaped cookie cutters or stack them for a fun layered look. Thinner layered Jell-O concoctions are perfect for individual snacks while treats made up of thicker bands work well as Jell-O “cakes”. Add your favorite fruit, candy, or even sprinkles into the tray before the mixture sets for a dessert that will truly explode with flavor.

Ice Cream Pie

Most people don’t think to make their own ice cream pie, but it’s actually quite simple to do. Pick up a premade pie crust from your local grocery store or if you’re feeling fancy, make one from scratch yourself.

Pick from an array of treats from fruits to fancy sprinkles to M&Ms—whatever you’d like, as long as it’s red, white, or blue. To keep things festive, it’s best to use vanilla ice cream for your base, but you certainly don’t have to if you prefer chocolate, strawberry or any other flavor. Leave your ice cream out for about 10 minutes or so. (It really depends on how hot or cold it is in your home. You want it to be malleable, but not mushy.)

Take a large spoon and place scoops of your softened ice cream into the pie crust and then smooth it all out with your spoon. Add all of your embellishments, then add another layer of ice cream. Be gentle as to not pull up the treats you just placed inside. Repeat this as many times as you’d like until your pie is complete and then put the finished product in the freezer. It’s as simple as that!

Bowl O’ Fruit

Arguably, this sweet treat is healthier than the last, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious. Pile sliced strawberries into the bottom of a large clear bowl and add a layer of whipped cream. Now add a layer of blueberries. Repeat.

This little gem is usually finished off with a fancy display of fruit on top, but get creative. Use sprinkles, make a flag of fruit, do whatever suits your mood. You can also switch up the flavors by swapping out the fruits. Cherries, raspberries, and watermelon are all good reds, while blackberries can be a substitute for blueberries if you’d like.

Oh The Wonderful Things Food Coloring Can Do!

Here’s the thing about food coloring: It can make lots of substances safely turn different colors. So making the inside of a cake striped, let’s say, is pretty simple to do. You can also color chocolate for things like dipping fruit, marshmallows, graham crackers, pretzels, or even cheese if you’re feeling frisky. The options are endless, so let your creativity be your guide. Use food coloring on your traditional desserts and come to the party with something that is really Fourth of July fantastic.

Getting Funky With Food On The Fourth Of July

The Fourth of July is certainly a day to celebrate, but it’s also very much about having fun with the people you care about. What could be more fun than desserts that taste great and exude the festive holiday spirit? So it’s time to get creative in the kitchen and bring a dish to this year’s Fourth of July gathering that is both a treat for the tummy and a treat for the eyes.

Scoop up your favorite dessert and head out to have a safe and happy Independence Day!